Hometown hero Eminem [ tickets ] will be among the co-hosts for the Detroit Hip-Hop Summit--an event that will focus on utilizing hip-hop culture for youth empowerment--on April 26 at Cobo Arena.

A crowd of about 13,000 is expected for the event, which rap mogul Russell Simmons' Hip-Hop Summit Action Network is presenting along with Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, the Detroit branch of the NAACP and local hip-hop radio station WJLB.

Other confirmed hip-hop artists and recording industry executives participating in the event include Reverend Run of Run-DMC, D12, Shady Records Vice President/GM Paul Rosenberg, the DOC, Doug E. Fresh, Petey Pablo, Cherub and Red Cafe, Slum Village, Bass Brothers, and Def Jam Records President Kevin Liles.

Members of the upcoming Def Jam Vendetta Tour--to include Method Man, Redman, Cam'ron and the Diplomats, Keith Murray and Capone-N-Noreaga--are also scheduled to appear.

According to a press release, topics to be addressed at the Summit will include hip-hop's economic, political and social impact and effective strategies for youth empowerment.

Admission to the event will be free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Internet registration for the event is available at the WJLB website, and general information is available at the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network's website.

Seven cities have previously hosted Hip-Hop Summits, including New York and Los Angeles.